Introduction Cervical spine and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are uncommon in athletes but carry significant risk of morbidity and mortality as well as implications for the athletes future.
Cervical spine and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are uncommon in athletes but carry significant risk of morbidity and mortality as well as implications for the athletes future. The most commonly implicated sports include football, hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, and rugby however they can occur during any athletic event. Between the years 1977 and 2004, an average of 40 vertebral column injuries and 7 spinal cord injuries were reported annually.
Most of these occur in athletes younger than 30 years of age and the majority occur in high school athletes [4, 5]. In American football, these injuries speaked in the 1960s when new, harder helmets were introduced and spear tackling was still legal. The majority of these injuries among football players occur during tackling and most cervical spine and spinal cord injuries involve an axial load on the neck with some degree of flexion or extension.
Although the differential diagnosis of neck pain in athletes is broad, this review will focus on limb and life threatening cervical spine and spinal cord injuries. Case Vignette You are providing coverage for a high school football game. One of your players goes to tackle the opponent and has a helmet to helmet collision.
Afterwords, he lays on the ground and calls for help. As you arrive you realize he is endorsing neck pain. Which of the following would be an indication for cervical spine immobilization and transport to the emergency department for imaging?
A) Paraspinal tenderness along the right trapezius muscle B) Normal level of consciousness C) Inability to abduct arm D) Normal pupillary response. On Field Management One challenge in managing these potential injuries is rapidly identifying these athletes and applying the proper treatment. The sideline physician and athletic trainer should work together as a team to identify these potential injuries.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to cervical spine & spinal cord injuries in athletes, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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